Elsie Knight has celebrated her 100 birthday and is showing no signs of stopping yet.

Born in Lambley, with five siblings, Elsie celebrated her birthday in style at Queen's Wood Methodist Rest Home, in Bestwood, with a lavish afternoon tea party.

There to celebrate the milestone birthday were 60 members of her friends and family.

Elsie, who before she retired worked at Players in the city centre, said: "I don't drink, apart from one at Christmas. My faith has a lot to do with me living this long too, I believe it has played a part.

"I used to be very active too, I danced ballroom and modern, and I won medals and certificates for them too."

She married the love of her life George Knight in June 15 1946, after she first saw him scrubbing a floor and thought 'he'll be useful for somebody'. The couple did not have any children, but instead dedicated their lives to their bundle of joy Laddie, a bearded collie.

They spent their lives with the church and despite their similarities, followed rival football teams, Elsie supported Nottingham Forest, but George was a Notts County fan.

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Life-long friend Shelia Booworth, 76, came all the way from Spondon to see her friend reach the big 100.

She said: "We met 45 years ago on holiday in Ilfracombe in a guest house we were both staying in. When she wasn't in the home we used to phone each other each Sunday always at 8.30am.

"It's so great to see so many of her family and friends here with her."

Elsie's life has been full of adventure, and in turn sadness too. She has five siblings, all who have sadly died, making Elsie the only one left in her family. Her beloved George passed away after suffering with angina in June 1977, at their home Glaisdale Drive, in Elsie's arms.

The 100-year-old became a resident at the Methodist home by choice, as she realised in March she was unable to look after herself and felt a burden to her friends after numerous falls and trips to Queen's Medical Hospital.

Since then she has enjoyed her time thoroughly at the home, and says she likes to keep her brain active by playing her favourite game, Scrabble.

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Another friend Elsie met on holiday, while honeymooning with her husband in Ibiza in 1968, was Carole Hignett, who helped organise the big day.

Friends for 50 years, the 72-year-old said: "I am just amazed with the way she leads her life. She uses computers and phones so is very aware of the times. She is such a role model for people of old age or in fact any age.

"She has come through awful experiences but always has remained interested in other people.

"She lives like the Queen here and can keep going on now till however long she likes."

Apart from a hip replacement and two knee replacements, Elsie shows no signs of slowing down, and says going forward she will keep getting through life one step at a time.